As Wayde focused on recuperating, Ryan took the opportunity to assess his own condition.
He stretched his muscles, feeling the satisfying release of stress accumulated from battling the golems. Despite the strain, he sensed a newfound lightness and strength permeating his body, as if each challenge he faced made him more resilient.
Shifting his attention to his mana control, Ryan felt a surge of excitement as he noticed an improvement in his ability to wield mana.
The flow felt smoother, and more potent, prompting him to wonder about his own potential compared to other mages. Yet, amidst his musings, he couldn't help but marvel at Wayde's mastery, who effortlessly sucked in the mana around him to aid in his recovery.
Observing Wayde with awe, Ryan activated his Mana Vision, keen to glean insights into the seasoned mage's techniques.
He watched as Wayde harnessed the mana to enhance his body's healing, storing the excess energy within his mana core. It was a display of skill and finesse that reaffirmed the importance of the mana core in unlocking a mage's magical abilities.
The mana core acted as the magnet that could draw and manipulate the mana.
Without it or some other medium, like elves and their connection to the World Tree, it should be theoretically impossible to wield mana.
However, Ryan's own connection to mana remained an enigma, his unique Mystical Body granting him abilities beyond comprehension. Though he struggled to articulate it, his time in the maze had deepened his affinity with mana, unlocking a new aspect of himself.
Through Mana Projection, he managed to enter a Mana Form in which he felt attuned to the very essence of mana, transcending the physical realm. Ryan was left feeling even more in harmony with the mana around him.
It was something incredible that he could only imagine the potential uses of.
But Ryan struggled to enter that state on command as if he had only managed to pull it off through sheer desperation.
'I guess I'll just have to try another time.'
Ryan's thoughts continued to revolve around magic, gathering all his observations and insights to see how he could apply them. But he didn't let his newfound obsession with magic overshadow the growing tension between him and Wayde.
'Eventually, we'll probably end up...'
Just thinking about it caused a chill to run down his spine, but Ryan steeled his will and mentally prepared himself. As he did, Wayde, who spent half the time that he had on recovering, landed on the ground with an air of cold determination.
"Let's continue, kid," Wayde said sharply, his tone betraying a sense of urgency.
Ryan nodded, following closely as they ventured deeper into the maze, excitement and determination propelling them forward.
As they progressed, Ryan couldn't shake the feeling of unease surrounding Wayde's changed demeanour. The raggedy mage appeared more cautious, his eyes scanning their surroundings for unseen threats.
He was also no longer murmuring to himself or talking down to Ryan, which was weirdly unnerving.
It was as if he had regained himself.
Wayde had also noticed that Ryan was on edge, and it seemed as though the closer they were to the centre of the maze, the more wary they became of each other.
The tension between them simmered beneath the surface, threatening to erupt at any moment.
Despite that, their coordination improved, allowing them to navigate the maze's challenges with precision. Both had a gauge of each other's abilities, or at least what they had displayed, and were able to sync up their attacks.
But beneath their outward unity, a silent conflict brewed...
-
There were four more groups of golems and a plethora of traps Ryan and Wayde still had to overcome.
However, the golems weren't as easy to defeat as those they had already taken down.
Not only were the stone adversaries larger and more durable, but they could also use other forms of magic!
The first series of golems were able to use Water Magic. They were also wary of Ryan, knowing that he was capable of severing their connection to the maze. However, Wayde and Ryan still managed to work around their magic and work together to take down the golems, albeit not easily.
After doing so, they had to take some time to recover, and it was the same after taking down the next two series of golems.
The second group of golems could use Wind Magic and the third could use Fire Magic, but thankfully all the golems could only use basic forms of magic.
And although they were controlled by the maze, which seemed to have an intelligent will of its own, there was only so much the golems could do against Ryan and Wayde's synchronised attacks.
But as they faced the series of golems, Wayde's greed for the trial's rewards became even more apparent, straining their partnership. Despite that, they pushed forward, barely surviving the encounters with explosive traps and colossal golems.
The maze tested their limits, yet they emerged victorious, driven by a shared desire to reach the maze's heart.
All that was left was the final series of golems, which was a mixed batch, each utilising a different form of magic that the previous groups of golems wielded.
The air crackled with anticipation as they prepared to take them on and then claim their prize, yet the tension between them remained unresolved.
What awaited them at the heart of the maze?
They were about to find out.
And whatever it was, it was bound to be extraordinary...